Son Up Til Son Downhttp://sonuptilsondown.com
BlogThu, 10 Aug 2017 02:37:02 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8.130th Reunion weekendhttp://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/08/09/30th-reunion-weekend/
http://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/08/09/30th-reunion-weekend/#commentsThu, 10 Aug 2017 02:37:02 +0000http://sonuptilsondown.com/?p=2411I didn’t get that many pictures of the weekend, I think I must have been ‘in the moment’ and that is a good thing right? You know, I came home from being in my home town with 5 hours of processing as I drove back to Olympia and I realize, I really do have such a genuine love for these people. I felt like a cheerleader all over again when I’d hear that people who I hadn’t seen for many years, some since graduation, are doing real good in their life. I wanted to get up and just clap and sing them a cheer. Most all have changed for the better. By this point, I don’t think anyone was out to impress but be honest and really just take in enjoying each other. Very comfortable.

Where do you think we are? Well…..of course we are at the horse races!

I got to spend some quality time with my girl Dena Leigh, there on the left. We pretty much were hooked at the hip thru school and I was reminded again why she was my girl for all those years. We kind of just get each others quirkiness. She has become a natural beauty with a radiant smile.

Got in on some of the boy talk. I think I was just standing here thinking in my head, “they just ALL have become some genuine lovely gentleman.” I’m just so incredibly proud of them. They are all working men with beautiful families and they were all just so happy to share about them with each other. So cool!

Anyway, there were some really lovely moments.

I’m really grateful to have had this time reconnecting, thank friends!

]]>http://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/08/09/30th-reunion-weekend/feed/1What a night to behold!http://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/06/10/what-a-night-to-behold/
http://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/06/10/what-a-night-to-behold/#respondSat, 10 Jun 2017 17:26:51 +0000http://sonuptilsondown.com/?p=2395WHAT A NIGHT!!!! Great ceremony, great celebration, meet our 2017 high school graduate.

They also decorate their caps now, so he was sporting his Saint Martin’s University fact!

Do you like his bow tie? He is always the best dresser.

Brayden and his two buddies were the MC’s for the evening. They did a smashingly great job!

I’m getting the look, (ok, just one more picture…please!)

The ‘class’ of 2017, they were getting ready to show us some moves with a dance in celebration, it was so dang fun!

Steven and Brayden going out with a fist bump and…….

Maybe a little help from your friend!!!!!!!

Nice job Bray!

The Lasher gang

Wouldn’t be a party without our dear neighbors.

Happy family, proud family

Grateful for this moment, thank you Jesus for these years of raising this young man. I am one blessed Momma right here.

]]>http://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/06/10/what-a-night-to-behold/feed/0Baccalaureatehttp://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/06/05/baccalaureate/
http://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/06/05/baccalaureate/#respondMon, 05 Jun 2017 18:34:47 +0000http://sonuptilsondown.com/?p=2383It was a beautiful day to bless the seniors as they transition from one kind of world to another. Encouraging them that they don’t have to go thru the next phase feeling alone but that they have support threw prayer and to always carry on with a relationship with Jesus is the biggest thing, He is always there in the midst.

The service was held in the newly refurbished old school house, we were the first to have an event there. What an honor this was, I am in love with this building! This is also the first baccalaureate since 1981 in Rainier. So many firsts right here.

Each student was given for their keeps forever and ever a bible. Isn’t that the best gift ever?

Mr. Beckman, the high school principal, opened with speaking to the kids about keeping their faith with them and showing it to others.

Teacher, Mr. Mounts, was our head speaker who explained to them that the path they ‘think’ they may be headed for may not be the one the Lord has in mind for you, but it’s ok because it’s God’s plan.

The Lord planted in my heart years ago that Mr. Mounts was the man for this job and he did fabulous.

Teacher, ‘Holtie’, closed us in prayer.

Refreshments for everyone afterwards.

A few of the graduates in the bunch.

The one in the blue up there with a blue shirt and cap on wrote a poem that was just beautiful, I want to share it. He is humble and doesn’t want to read out loud his own work so Brayden read it.

Steven Roberts you have a gift sir.

It never hit me like a train

I’ve always felt You by my side

I’ve never collapsed from enduring pain

You’ve always helped me I must confide

You listen to the struggle of my thoughts

The stress of imperfection comes forward

I hear You and what You’ve bought

It’s pushed out and my inhibitions are poured

I continue to walk and sometimes forget

You’ve always stopped me when I do

I wander and fill with regret

It’s drained from me by You

There’s a pattern to my ways

I’m sad to say, You know it so well

It continues throughtout my days

You watch me falter, with anger I swell

But there comes a time when I stumble

I ask questions I know the answer

I fall until I’m stuck, then I’m made humble

You remind what I’ve forgot to insure

Things that frighten, worry, concern

It’s not my burden, You’ve taken it on

They’re irrelevant, You’d think I’d learn

I swallow my pride because I’m wrong

Back and forth like an ocean current

You call my name back to you

My faults make me deterrent

I cry as I realize, this is what I always do

I recall a story of a lost sheep

I feel alone but you seek me out

My soul is Yours to keep

You wouldn’t lose one to a wayward route

Then his support crew forever and ever, minus one.

Of course I will always take that picture with my boy, I love him, and am always petitioning to the Lord on his behalf. ALWAYS!!!!!

This day was one the Lord had birthed in my heart many years ago, and He birthed it to reality perfectly.

]]>http://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/06/05/baccalaureate/feed/0Ok, yes, you can call this the brag centerhttp://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/06/03/ok-yes-you-can-call-this-the-brag-center/
http://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/06/03/ok-yes-you-can-call-this-the-brag-center/#commentsSat, 03 Jun 2017 23:38:00 +0000http://sonuptilsondown.com/?p=2377This is one of the prouder moments Jim and I will have. Jordan, got top 10 academically in his school. I am so over the top. He was recognized in front of the school board, super intendant, and all schools in Yelm. It was quite an honor.

Jordan is such a hard worker who wants to succeed and be at the top all the time. I am always telling him, sky is the limit, set your standards high, work hard and it will pay off. He’s done that.

I’m not ready to send this innocent sweet boy to middle school, I’m just not ready.

Jordan was ready for his moment, he knew exactly what he wanted to wear, practicing web to web strong hand shake like a man with his dad, got a hair cut and fixed it until it was perfection. (no help on the fixin’ part from hairdresser mom)

Jordan has really been such a hard worker and a HUGE reader this year.

Super proud of this boy, over the moon proud of him. Please don’t go to middle school, please. (does that help?)

]]>http://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/06/03/ok-yes-you-can-call-this-the-brag-center/feed/1Standing tall on the podium at statehttp://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/05/28/standing-tall-on-the-podium-at-state/
http://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/05/28/standing-tall-on-the-podium-at-state/#respondSun, 28 May 2017 20:57:44 +0000http://sonuptilsondown.com/?p=2363Corvan, Jordan, and I headed to Eastern Washington University to watch Brayden perform at the Washington state track meet.

The boys and I prayed on the way there that the trip would be safe and that Brayden would perform to the best of his ability.

Brayden made a PR of 14.3 feet and received the silver place medal.

Announcing the contenders

The stress level in this, at one point about this moment I turned to Corvan and told him to tell me what happens, his response was, “I’m not watching…..”

And then this would happen…..

Before I got there I could tell the emotion in me was all but right in my throat. I talked myself down all morning, “do NOT start, do NOT start” because I knew that if I began I wouldn’t stop.

Sitting in the stands and then the flood gates began, there was no stopping it and thank GOD for glasses, it camouflaged somewhat what was going on under those glasses. Corvan kept looking at me and telling me to stop, I tried.

He is WAY clearing it, super exciting!

Planting that pole, the intensity!!!!!!!

There he is…..

Brother….

I am a proud mom of this boy who is a champion, who is graduating in a couple of days, who seems to keep me in tears with all kinds of things, and then smiles in between.

]]>http://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/05/28/standing-tall-on-the-podium-at-state/feed/0Senior, he’s a seniorhttp://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/05/25/senior-hes-senior/
http://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/05/25/senior-hes-senior/#respondThu, 25 May 2017 19:22:19 +0000http://sonuptilsondown.com/?p=2351Well, here is my sweet boy, a couple of more weeks and off he goes to the big world. I love him.

Here we are again, the last time I will be told my son is going to your event at the last minute and I have to scramble to make it all come together as if, like all the other mother’s in the world, it was no sweat off my back. I feel like I just fake it til I make it most of the time with you. This last event of yours has been one surprise after another. I don’t even know where to begin!

You happen today, we FINALLY got his tux……TODAY!!!! We did go get him sized on Thursday, and that came with a surprise right there too. We walked in and the first thing the lady asked us, “what is your date wearing?” (oh in my mind, he was going stag, just with a group of friends) he pipes up with, “I’m not sure exactly, I’ll have to ask her.” I could feel my eyes welling up with tears not because he had a date but because I HAD NO IDEA!!!!! We walk out of there with me saying, “what the #$#@%^?, why am always the last one to know?” Ok, so I have a few days to get over that……

THEN, my girl friend came over along with Brayden’s senior friend to do some graduation preparing stuff today, the day of your event, when Sherry walks thru the door to greet us and turns to Brayden with this, “Oh Brayden it’s so exciting you are on the royalty court, are you ready to get crowned tonight?” Ok, are you serious, my mouth flew open, there was no holding it back as if I already knew that he was going to be on court. I mean, what am I chopped liver? WHY am I the last one to KNOW these things? I seriously don’t get it!!!! Your event creates this ‘let’s rain on mom’s parade’ pretty much every other day for several days.

SO, this is the deal, he is probably not going to be very happy about this but I’m coming to invade your party, to watch him get crowned or not, to be apart, to be……the one to know when it all actually happens or doesn’t happen, nobody will have to tell me AFTER the fact because I will see it with my own eyeballs.

So, I will see you soon.

Sincerely, The mother who is the last to know

And look at my smashing HOT GOLDEN son! He always is unique and he did not surprise me by this one tinnie bit on this one.

He really does make me happy.

Good friends always.

If this isn’t the handsomest………

Meet Madison

Look at all these gems.

All the Rainier group!

What a bunch of handsome boys.

Devan darlin’

Oh Bray, I love you, thank you for being such a great person in my life.

Overall I am a grateful Momma, I will for sure keep you informed of the outcome of the ‘crowning’, it will be nice to be the informer over the being informed.

]]>http://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/05/06/the-finale-and-my-golden-child/feed/0Corvan turns 14http://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/04/25/corvan-turns-14/
http://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/04/25/corvan-turns-14/#commentsWed, 26 Apr 2017 00:13:21 +0000http://sonuptilsondown.com/?p=2321We did some celebrating of Corvan’s life this last week. He turned fourteen years old. I can hardly wrap my brain around it. He will be a freshman next year, blows my mind. I am going to live each day, day to day, and not look to what is ahead and just enjoy.

The thing is with Corvan, he has been thru some things in his little world that I always seem to get the after picture all the while he is making wise decisions and I am completely unaware most of the time until I put two and two together. I would say those prayers that I pray, God has his hand on him. The school that Corvan goes to is a bit on the rough side along with a few good teachers but in my opinion most of them I have had encounters with and I am not a confrontational person. I’m the mother, for the most part, that if something comes my way I automatically make my kid guilty before proven innocent. Until I find they really are innocent and then I go to battle for them.

I always tell my kids, “no matter what, I am on your side” and then when I drop them off from school I pray that whatever is going on that it comes to the light and that God would provide a hedge of protection around them, that what goes in the ears or whatever they see needs to be heard or saw and that which needs to be shielded, SHIELD and PROTECT!!! Our kids go thru so much in a day, we have no idea the moral, ethical, decision making they have to go thru every single day. The stuff that comes at them boggles my mind.

Corv, he deals with it like a champ. THis year, he saw stuff coming his way that he didn’t want to be apart of and has just chosen to go another way. It kind of baffled me at times, almost with a inquisitive not getting it lack of understanding. For example, he has created a group of new friendships that I’m so proud of him for making. He makes these silent decisions and I just PRAY that he will continue to make right choices.

I want to get better at trusting God with him and know that God is guiding him in truth and love way better than I can ever do. I am so grateful for it all.

We spent the evening of his birthday with family at the bowling rink. Bowling is always fun entertainment, isn’t it?

He looks 14 in this picture, well at least above 4.

Cousin ‘Mana’ and Chad joined us. Let’s just say, they love her like the star that she is.

Then we went to the bike park for more fun, spring break just didn’t quite finish up the fun.

This was intentional, Oh Brayden.

Corv getting his game on.

I am one blessed Momma to get to raise this boy. He always surprises me by teaching me something new about him or that I didn’t even realize was in him. Dang, I just love him!

I pray the next year of his world impacts me the way that it has and that I find myself in awe of the Lord’s goodness just one more time.

]]>http://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/04/25/corvan-turns-14/feed/1Spring break shenaniganshttp://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/04/08/spring-break-shenanigans/
http://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/04/08/spring-break-shenanigans/#commentsSat, 08 Apr 2017 23:21:39 +0000http://sonuptilsondown.com/?p=2311This spring break has been full, full of building muscle from all the leaf picking up we have been doing. After some blood, lots of sweat, and even some tears we finally got it done! Then the big wind storm hit that next day, we all just looked outside as it was blowing and turned away. We’ll just ignore all the limbs for a while.

The boys and I took a night and went to Portland where they could ride in an indoor bike bike. And ride, ride they did, they stopped long enough to sit down and eat for a couple of minutes and they were back at it. Close to seven hours of riding. They really had a great time. It was so much fun watching them have a blast, they were so grateful after and exhausted too.

Jordan

Corvan

food with sweaty heads

This makes my heart sing when my boys spend time together doing things they enjoy.

Brayden worked and then we just got home from a day of orientation at a possible college. Asking the Lord’s will and hand on all decisions that are to be made. We will see……

Layton, he rode the whole desert 100 on his own this year. Layton claims it was one of the hardest things he’s ever accomplished. Pictures to come, really proud of him.

]]>http://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/04/08/spring-break-shenanigans/feed/1SURPRISE,Jordan is 11!http://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/03/01/surprisejordan-is-11/
http://sonuptilsondown.com/2017/03/01/surprisejordan-is-11/#commentsWed, 01 Mar 2017 16:39:30 +0000http://sonuptilsondown.com/?p=2299This boy of mine……how is it that the Lord sees fit to give the best gifts when you didn’t even ask for them?

Jordan was my surprise baby, and I will never receive a better one than this one right here.

Jordan, he has such strong insight beyond his years that SURPRISES me all of the time.

Jordan is my grateful kid, he very rarely asks for anything and it makes me want to give him everything.

His eleventh birthday was fun. We invited all his best buds to eat Jordan’s pick of the meal that included sloppy Joe’s with mac and cheese with pop. Yum-O (ew!)

Then what do 11 year olds do for their birthday? We go to SKATELAND!!!!! Does that bring back ‘ole memories from the pass all of you who are (cough) skaters from your years pass? It was a scream, they were troopers, maybe a few bruised behinds but they got the hang of it being the athletes that they are and were racing around the track.

The pictures are blurry because I couldn’t stop laughing!!! A little shaky hand going on there.

Next morning a little biscuits and gravy.

Then…..his real birthday! All my boys and I sat down for all of Jor’s favorite things. Homemade meat balls, mashed potatoes and gravy, shrimp, asparagus, and pop. This was monumental we rarely get to sit down for a meal all together anymore. This made my heart happy.